Gear leg fairing hinge attachment

[647jc]

I?m installing the standard Vans fiberglass gear leg fairings on my RV9A and am ready to rivet the hinges onto the fairings. I didn?t see anywhere in the instructions where they recommended epoxy to be applied under the hinge before riveting as they do for the cowl hinges. Not sure if Van assumes the builder will use epoxy or if it isn?t necessary or maybe even not recommended. What have others done with the hinge attachment?

[fstringham7a]

Joe

I didn't epoxy but I am going to run a light weight fiberglass cloth down the outside as I have heard some folks say that the rivets do loosen up over time.

Maybe a bead of epoxy/micro paste on the interior would also do the trick....

Frank @ SGU RV7A last 1001 details

[647jc]

Any comments from other builders? Have others had issues with the hinge rivets getting loose over time?

[victor]

You have little vibration or tension on the fairings to be concerned with. The rivets are quiet strong when properly installed in fiberglass. I don't think you will have any problems, nor do I think Van's recommends ,the epoxy here. The wheel fairings(the brackets that are riveted) does take a beating and extra cloth-epoxy does make for a much stronger and trouble free installation.

[carguy614]

Vance is dead on. Little stress on the gearleg glass. If concerned about it though, it is no biggie to run a bead of epoxy down the hinge before riveting. I also countersunk my rivets below flush, and filled the heads on all of my glasswork. Real easy to do.

Regards...Chris

[Larco]

This has worked for me on a few sets. Drill the hinges and fairing, apply proseal between the two, let set up then countersink and rivet. Larry

[Craig]

After the gear leg hinge is installed, Van's says that you can flex the hinge pin to install it from the bottom.

From what I see, you also need to have the wheel off. Is that right?

[fstringham7a]

Originally Posted by Craig

After the gear leg hinge is installed, Van's says that you can flex the hinge pin to install it from the bottom.

From what I see, you also need to have the wheel off. Is that right?

The pin flex is enough to miss the tire on my install

Frank @ 1L8 ..... RV7A ...... last 994 details...will it ever end

[tomwebster]

Remember that with the top clamp removed,
the fairing can rotate away from the tire
giving more clearance to remove the pin.
Tom

[Auburntsts]

Actually, Van's recommends Proseal to bond the hinges in-place prior to riveting--check out this month's RVator that's now posted to see the tip.